Woman, 86, shot while hospitalized in Nevada dies; husband of 63 years charged with murder

CARSON CITY, Nev. - An 86-year-old Nevada woman shot by her husband while hospitalized died Wednesday and her spouse of more than six decades was charged with murder, authorities said.

Frances Dresser of Douglas County died from injuries suffered when she was shot once in the chest Sunday while at Carson-Tahoe Regional Medical Center, Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said.

This photo provided by the Carson City Sheriff 's Departmentshows William Dresser. Dresser was arrested Sunday Jan. 19, 2014, after firing one shot with small-caliber semi-automatic handgun that struck his wife in the chest at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center in Carson City. Dresser was placed on suicide watch at a local jail. (AP Photo/Carson City Sheriff Department)

Her husband told officers he planned to "end his wife's suffering" by killing her and then himself, but his gun jammed, police said.

District Attorney Neil Rombardo said William Dresser, 88, was charged Wednesday with "open murder" with use of a deadly weapon.

Rombardo said open murder gives him discretion to amend the charges as more facts about the case emerge. Nevada law does not recognize or make a distinction for so-called mercy killings, he said.

"Filing open murder allows us to achieve justice for the victim, for the family and the community, which is our ultimate goal," Rombardo said. "My heart goes out to the family."

Furlong described Dresser as emotional but stable, adding he has some "significant" health problems and is on suicide watch.

"I'm not sure he was aware that she was alive," Furlong said. "He intended to end her suffering, and he caused more."

William Dresser was arrested Sunday after firing one shot at his wife with a small-calibre handgun.

The shooting happened on the third floor in the hospital's rehabilitation ward, where Frances Dresser was being treated for a previous injury.

"Dresser suggested to officers that his motive was to end his wife's suffering," Furlong said.

According to a police report, William Dresser told officers he had brought four bullets — two for his wife, two for himself — but the gun jammed after the first shot.

State Department of Corrections officers who were nearby and hospital security subdued William Dresser until deputies arrived.

The man was "crying and mumbled words to the effect of, 'I did not accomplish my goal,'" an officer wrote.

After the shooting, Frances Dresser was flown to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, where she died three days later.

Authorities were investigating William Dresser's claims that his wife became paralyzed and incapacitated after a fall at the couple's home two weeks ago. The couple had been married 63 years.

William Dresser was scheduled for an initial court appearance Thursday. It wasn't immediately known if he had retained or been appointed a lawyer.

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